Modified or aftermarket steering column needed???

[76cj7chick]

Hey all!!
I bought a steering column (with tilt and shifter column) that was from a 1989 wagoneer -it has the same splines as the CJ7 jeep-Anyone know of an aftermarket extemded bracket -or how to fabricate a steering column bracket so I can PULL the column forward (towards the driver) so then I can install my lower steering shaft to the column without making any mods to the lower steering shaft??

Thanks bunches for your help!!

 

[mriplaybass]

Your OEM steering shaft might telescope together enough in order to get the room you need. You may have to work on it with liberal amounts of penetrating oil, but it should slide with a little work. In one of your earlier posts, you showed a few universal mounting brackets. Possibly one of these could work. I seem to remember one that bolts to the dashboard face?

 

[76cj7chick]

Your OEM steering shaft might telescope together enough in order to get the room you need. You may have to work on it with liberal amounts of penetrating oil, but it should slide with a little work. In one of your earlier posts, you showed a few universal mounting brackets. Possibly one of these could work. I seem to remember one that bolts to the dashboard face?

Thanks Bass...Never thought of that! I will try that and let you know if it works. If not, will check out the one that bolts to the face of the dash.

 

[HackFabrication]

As the lower steering shaft is designed to collapse in a head-on collision, thus preventing the driver from being impales upon it: I would do a whole lot of measuring before shortening it.

Why not just call Borgenson or Flaming River and get a custom one made?

 

[76cj7chick]

As the lower steering shaft is designed to collapse in a head-on collision, thus preventing the driver from being impales upon it: I would do a whole lot of measuring before shortening it.

Why not just call Borgenson or Flaming River and get a custom one made?

Yeah... I decided not to shorten. I may just bring the bracket to a machinist and have them extend it.

 

[76cj7chick]

Hey thought I'd post what I ended up doing to make the grand wagoneer column work in my CJ7 ...
After (prayer) I had a realization that perhaps I could remove the one extra bracket holding onto the column to the underside of the dash. (See first picture) That way I could extend it up into the first hole.. And then the column will extend further in the cab and not hit the shifter arm into the crash pad AND also slide the lower shaft perfectly to the column shaft without mods...
Well it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't have to modify my column or lower steering shaft all all!!!!!!!
Thanks God!
Wheewwww!!

 

[mriplaybass]

Way to go!

 

[HackFabrication]

How did you attach the column to the underside of the dash?

The bracket you showed, has die cast inserts that allow the column to release from the bracket (breaks the die cast) in the event of the driver impacting the steering wheel.

The combination of collapsing steering shaft and the column were the automakers design idea before the concept of shoulder harnesses, passive restraints, and air bags.

I suppose if you have good 3 point harnesses installed and are religious about using them, then you could 'get away' with hard mounting the column to the dash.

 

[76cj7chick]

How did you attach the column to the underside of the dash?

The bracket you showed, has die cast inserts that allow the column to release from the bracket (breaks the die cast) in the event of the driver impacting the steering wheel.

The combination of collapsing steering shaft and the column were the automakers design idea before the concept of shoulder harnesses, passive restraints, and air bags.

I suppose if you have good 3 point harnesses installed and are religious about using them, then you could 'get away' with hard mounting the column to the dash.

Hey Hackfab!
Thanks for your concern.
I don't know.. :/
I just used the bolt under the dash that was for the column. Just didn't use the secondary bracket so it could be brought back towards the driver.
I kept the lower steering shaft which is supposed to collapse in case of an accident.
But I only have the lap belt so far... I would like to get a 3 point or 4 point seat belt assembly one day but would need someone to do the welding. Maybe once it gets running again. Or if I can't get it to work again, I can always sell the CJ7 .

 

[mriplaybass]

Sell it?? You WILL get it running! You are determined, and I know you will figure things out! Hang in there, you have plenty of resources here on the forum.

 

[76cj7chick]

Sell it?? You WILL get it running! You are determined, and I know you will figure things out! Hang in there, you have plenty of resources here on the forum.

I dont know mrplaybass, it stopped running due to flex plate teeth getting chewed since June. But thanks for the encouraging words. :rock: